All, Im new to the forum and hope Im not repeating a thread. I searched but didn't see my specific problem. This is a bit long but I want to be thorough in providing details.

Here it is...I have a 2000 A6 2.7T (129K miles). The 100K mile heavy maintenance was completed about 8 months ago. I recently had the oil changed and had been smelling what I believed to be burning oil every since. Not uncommon to spill oil during a change but it usually burns off rather quickly. However, the smell has been going on for a few weeks, intermittent not continuous. I believed there was a small oil leak. I took it to a shop who checked it out and said they think the head gasket is leaking and also noted the engine coolant reservoir had some small cracks and had leaked some coolant. Either or both could be causing the smell. It appears that the cracks in the reservoir had corroded coolant clogging the cracks so there appeared to be no active leaks. They did not do any repairs The following day while driving to work I noticed the engine temp was going above the mid temp point. This is a new problem. It eventually reached the far right "H" and the over temp warning came on. BUT....the engine oil temp never moved off the bottom (150F) meaning it isn't indicating "any" temperature. The cold oil temp may be a old problem that I hadn't notice before but the engine coolant temp is new. After getting to work, I opened the hood and checked around. The outside air temp was about 40F that morning, the engine coolant reservoir was at the max level with the pink fluid. It did not feel or smell like a overheating engine. After work I started the car for a quick drive home home, about 30 mins. I noticed at start up that the engine coolant temp was already at the mid point between "C" and "H" (pointing straight up). Normally it would be on "C" after setting cold all day especially when the outside temp never reached 50F for the day. I drove it home that day and the same symptoms occurred...engine oil temp at 150F, engine coolant temp maxed out at "H" but the car ran perfectly and never appeared to be in a overheat condition.

I understand that I need to replace the reservoir and at some point will need to fix the oil leak but Im unsure if either of those were the source of the smoke smell or what is causing the over temp.

Ok, there are the details. I would greatly appreciate any diagnoses or ideas where to start on this problem.

Thank you...Larry G

 

Could be a grounding problem. Earlier models (5000 series)had erratic instrument readings caused by bad grounds. Have owned well over 20 Audi's, including a 2000 2.7T, but have not seen this problem with the newer 2000+ models. Check uour accessable grounds around the battery and engine, and even shake some harnesses. Sounds crude, I know, but you may get lucky. Try not to disconnect the battery for aa length of time; just loosen the terminals slightly and rotate the cable on the terminalto help reestablish good contat, then retighten.

and

 

Could be a grounding problem. Earlier models (5000 series)had erratic instrument readings caused by bad grounds. Have owned well over 20 Audi's, including a 2000 2.7T, but have not seen this problem with the newer 2000+ models. Check uour accessable grounds around the battery and engine, and even shake some harnesses. Sounds crude, I know, but you may get lucky. Try not to disconnect the battery for aa length of time; just loosen the terminals slightly and rotate the cable on the terminalto help reestablish good contcat, then retighten.

and

 

Replace the reservoir.
Replace the oil temp sensor.
Fix the oil leak.

 

thanks for the tip. I will give that a try.

 

If you don't feel your car is overheating but feel that the gauge reading is erroneous, you may consider replacing your coolant temperaure sender.

 

I gave this a try but no luck. I plan to replace the coolant temp and oil temp sensors. Any suggestions on best place to order parts?

 

let me know if you find the oil temp sensor. i bought the part and I've spent days on all the forums looking for its location, if you find it please let me know. if you have the 2.7 its on the bottom of the pan in con unction with the level sender. but on the 2.8 it seems to be a mystery. i am having the same issue as you my oil temp sits at 150 all day every day.

 

It's at the bottom of the oil pan as Well. It is on my 2.8 I believe.

 

Just checked and yes it is on the bottom of the oil pan just like the 2.7.